Am I ready for another Yorkie?

[kmarla]

We lost our precious little Sprite June 27, 2014 after complications post surgery for severe hydrocephalus. The surgery was a final effort to save her life. She was only three years old and losing her was devastating for me. Okay, I'll confess that she was my special little snuggle bug and I absolutely adored her. I am just starting to allow myself to think about bringing another little Yorkie into my life. I am so afraid of something big going wrong again that it is making me have doubts. I have lost other much loved pets over the years but this time was different and she was my first little Yorkie.
Some recent background that may be contributing to my feelings....January 2014 we lost our 15 year old Siamese cat to kidney failure, in June we lost Sprite, and in September our Cocker Spaniel was diagnosed with hemangiopericytoma (cancer) and had successful surgery. In March this year she was diagnosed with mast cell cancer and had successful surgery again. She's almost eleven. Our six year old Yorkie/Maltese cross is totally healthy (thank goodness) and was best buddies and playmate to Sprite.
So to sum up, this is an emotional/heart issue only. I have the time and means to support another little dog. Are these hesitations I'm feeling normal? Do I just need some encouragement from fellow Yorkietalk members Should I hold off a bit? If you convince me to take the leap, then I'll ask about breeder recommendations, rescues etc.
Thanks

[Silver Lace]

This is only my opinion but from what you have told us I truly believe you should wait a while on this. Your heart is breaking from all the loss and the problems your one dog has gone through and survived. You need time to heal and regroup I feel. There must be a ton of emotions you are going through at this time and I know you are strongly feeling the loss of your Yorkie but I think in my honest believe that this is not the right time yet to get another little one. But it is your decision and only my best thoughts for you. I wish the best for you whatever you decide.

[maxdog]

I think you should go get yourself another bundle of fun. Losing a loved one is a terrible thing to happen but the truth is we are most likely to outlive our furbabies so it is a pain we cannot avoid. But during the time that they are with us they bring so much joy and love into our hearts that I cannot imagine life without them. The funny thing about love is that it is not finite.There is not a set amount that once you run out you are done.Your love for Sprite will always be there. It will never be lost. Your love for your other four legged children will not diminish with a new addition. Once that new puppy kisses your cheeks that first time, new love will start to grow from the bottom of your heart and will continue to grow as long as they are there to snuggle with you, play with you and chew your shoes and furniture up.

It has been a year. I say go for it. Let that new love begin to grow.

[Shicks]

I agree with Silverlace. You are so overwhelmed still from all of this. Try to relax a little and you will know when the time is right. I lost my Yorkie just 1 week into his 7 th birthday. He survived almost 2 years with GME. The little guy just couldn't live with all the treatments.
And I only had 1 Yorkie to worry about.
Well, 13 months later we picked out another baby. He's 6 months now and so far so good
These little guys are supposed to give us many years of fun & love.
It didn't work out for you & I.

[Zoey Zendaya]

Not to mention the anxiety and stress your feeling now , the new little one will pick up on. You'll know when your ready and won't need to ask ..?You will be excited not apprehensive....and the new one will be able to adjust easier and won't be so confused over your mixed feelings..
And I'm so sorry for the grief your going thru...
Good luck

[Dayswalters]

I don't know if there's a "right" time. I know people who got another pup within a week and others who never got another pup. It all depends on you. If you are ready to let another pup worm its way into you heart and possibly ease your pain, then go for it. If you feel that yor reservations will prevent you from providing the love and care a new pup needs, then wait.

[JadeD]

I lost my beloved English Setter last summer to cancer. She had just turned 4. I was devastated. That dog was supposed to be with me another 8 years! I was depressed and missing her. A friend asked me if I wanted a puppy if she had a litter with her 2 dogs and I agreed, but she didn't know if/when that would happen.

Then something unexpected happened. Some people I know socially contacted me. I had cooed and caa'd over their Yorkie several times and they were divorcing and neither could keep him and asked me if I would take him. That day. So, I literally had a Yorkie put in my arms and I took him home. All my heartache went away as I helped him adjust to living with me. I wasn't sure I was ready for a new dog, but apparently I was.

Well, the puppies arrived 2 months later and I told my daughter to pick the one she wanted and she could have the puppy. She had first pick and picked the cutest girl puppy. I fell in love with one of the boy puppies. 2 weeks before we were to pick up the girl my friend asked me if I would consider taking the boy as well, which would have been my first pick as he was the only one without a home. So, to add to my husband's English Setter that we still had, we now have 3 Yorkies, all since January! I love my guys! My daughter's puppy is the only female in the house, but that is her puppy, even though I love on her too.

I think it will help with the healing, I know it did with me! Nothing to help a broken heart heal like a new little one to love on and grow attached to. I understand your worry about something going wrong. My setter was not supposed to be gone already. However, it took 3 babies to equal her apparently! LOL I adore my guys though!

[kmarla]

Thank you Silver Lace, Maxdog, Shicks and Zoey Zendaya for sharing your thoughts. You all beautifully express the two perspectives I have going on in my head right now! In the past I've always felt 100% confident in the decision before getting a new puppy. I'm being more cautious this time which is a new experience for me. I don't feel stressed so much as indecisive, and I'm sure I'm still grieving. Most days now I feel ready to have another little Yorkie and it would be very well loved, but then those thoughts of "what if" intrude and I talk myself out of it. I think I may be answering my own question here. Maybe my head is willing but my heart needs just a little more time. If one fell into my lap I wouldn't say no, but!!

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by kmarla

Thank you Silver Lace, Maxdog, Shicks and Zoey Zendaya for sharing your thoughts. You all beautifully express the two perspectives I have going on in my head right now! In the past I've always felt 100% confident in the decision before getting a new puppy. I'm being more cautious this time which is a new experience for me. I don't feel stressed so much as indecisive, and I'm sure I'm still grieving. Most days now I feel ready to have another little Yorkie and it would be very well loved, but then those thoughts of "what if" intrude and I talk myself out of it. I think I may be answering my own question here. Maybe my head is willing but my heart needs just a little more time. If one fell into my lap I wouldn't say no, but!!

Kmarla, it is great to see you posting here. You and Sprite went through so much together. You are a great mom, that much is certain. I think you will know when the time is right. Keep your eyes and ears open. Nothing wrong with looking around, and then you won't feel pressured.

I looked and looked at puppies casually, applied to breed rescues, and eventually just knew when it was the right one.

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by JadeD

I lost my beloved English Setter last summer to cancer. She had just turned 4. I was devastated. That dog was supposed to be with me another 8 years! I was depressed and missing her. A friend asked me if I wanted a puppy if she had a litter with her 2 dogs and I agreed, but she didn't know if/when that would happen.

Then something unexpected happened. Some people I know socially contacted me. I had cooed and caa'd over their Yorkie several times and they were divorcing and neither could keep him and asked me if I would take him. That day. So, I literally had a Yorkie put in my arms and I took him home. All my heartache went away as I helped him adjust to living with me. I wasn't sure I was ready for a new dog, but apparently I was.

Well, the puppies arrived 2 months later and I told my daughter to pick the one she wanted and she could have the puppy. She had first pick and picked the cutest girl puppy. I fell in love with one of the boy puppies. 2 weeks before we were to pick up the girl my friend asked me if I would consider taking the boy as well, which would have been my first pick as he was the only one without a home. So, to add to my husband's English Setter that we still had, we now have 3 Yorkies, all since January! I love my guys! My daughter's puppy is the only female in the house, but that is her puppy, even though I love on her too.

I think it will help with the healing, I know it did with me! Nothing to help a broken heart heal like a new little one to love on and grow attached to. I understand your worry about something going wrong. My setter was not supposed to be gone already. However, it took 3 babies to equal her apparently! LOL I adore my guys though!

Such a great story!

[kmarla]

Sorry Dayswalters and JadeD, I didn't see your posts before I answered. I guess each experience of grieving is different and there's no right or wrong response. I'm just not used to being so hesitant, it's unusual for me. If anything I tend to be more impulsive. JadeD your response is my husband's worst nightmare I can totally see myself doing the same thing and ending up with a little family of Yorkies to love You clearly have a wonderful heart and those little Yorkies are very lucky!

[kmarla]

Maximo, thank you so much for your kind words! I have been stealthily trolling local rescue sites and the breeders posted on Yorkietalk. I haven't gone further than that so far. As my husband would say, if I've made the decision to go look at a puppy, that puppy is coming home. It's a done deal!!

[Zoey Zendaya]

Originally Posted by Maximo

Kmarla, it is great to see you posting here. You and Sprite went through so much together. You are a great mom, that much is certain. I think you will know when the time is right. Keep your eyes and ears open. Nothing wrong with looking around, and then you won't feel pressured.

I looked and looked at puppies casually, applied to breed rescues, and eventually just knew when it was the right one.

Well said Kristen....
Do keep us informed what happens!

[107barney]

The fact that you're asking if you're ready tells me that you are not. I would hold off until you know it's right and you're not asking.

[maxdog]

Originally Posted by JadeD

I lost my beloved English Setter last summer to cancer. She had just turned 4. I was devastated. That dog was supposed to be with me another 8 years! I was depressed and missing her. A friend asked me if I wanted a puppy if she had a litter with her 2 dogs and I agreed, but she didn't know if/when that would happen.

Then something unexpected happened. Some people I know socially contacted me. I had cooed and caa'd over their Yorkie several times and they were divorcing and neither could keep him and asked me if I would take him. That day. So, I literally had a Yorkie put in my arms and I took him home. All my heartache went away as I helped him adjust to living with me. I wasn't sure I was ready for a new dog, but apparently I was.

Well, the puppies arrived 2 months later and I told my daughter to pick the one she wanted and she could have the puppy. She had first pick and picked the cutest girl puppy. I fell in love with one of the boy puppies. 2 weeks before we were to pick up the girl my friend asked me if I would consider taking the boy as well, which would have been my first pick as he was the only one without a home. So, to add to my husband's English Setter that we still had, we now have 3 Yorkies, all since January! I love my guys! My daughter's puppy is the only female in the house, but that is her puppy, even though I love on her too.

I think it will help with the healing, I know it did with me! Nothing to help a broken heart heal like a new little one to love on and grow attached to. I understand your worry about something going wrong. My setter was not supposed to be gone already. However, it took 3 babies to equal her apparently! LOL I adore my guys though!